Enantioselective Catalytic Hydrofunctionalization: Chalcogen Additions to Alkenes

Hydrofunctionalization represents an efficient and atom-economical method for constructing carbon-chalcogen bonds from alkenes or alkynes. To date, numerous examples of hydrochalcogenation reactions have been developed, enabling the synthesis of compounds with carbon-chalcogen bonds. These advancements not only broaden the scope of synthetic chemistry but also provide valuable tools for further research and development in related fields. This perspective surveys the key advances in intermolecular asymmetric hydrooxygenation, hydrothiolation, and hydroselenation of alkenes. We organize our discussion by nucleophile type and alkene class (olefins, dienes, allenes), examining mechanistic insights and synthetic trends.